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Part 3
"You understand what is needed?"
"Yes."
"The prophecies have brought much to us in these days. Our Master is gone, but he will rise again. My soldiers are already bringing Angelus to us as we speak. Go, Kronos, Dark Lord of the Corrupters. Find your host and free our Master once and for all."
"By your command."
There was great tension in the library. Buffy had intervened on Giles' behalf as a threatening Cordelia had to be restrained.
"You don't understand," she had yelled, "it is for the good that I do this. Our future depends on it."
But Buffy was alone now, watching Giles as he paced small steps within his office. She could see the wonder in his face, the confusion of hearing that he had betrayed all that he stood for. The Slayer pitied him at that moment. It wasn't everyday that you learned that you caused the end of the world. Giles turned to Buffy.
"Do you think it can be so? Could I . . . turn on all that I have dedicated myself to, Buffy?"
"Giles," Buffy answered. "There has to be a logical excuse for this. You're not capable of anything that sinister."
"Am I? I've delved with the darkest of magics. I've called demons to this world. My lord, she said I killed Xander in cold blood. I . . . "
"That's enough, Giles!" Buffy snapped. "You're not a traitor, and I'm going to get to the bottom of this. I'll find out what is wrong here, I swear. Now go home."
"Maybe I should not be alone, Buffy. I may . . .well . . .something might happen. I don't know if I trust myself anymore."
Buffy took hold of Giles' hand and looked deep into his eyes. She could not stand the pain she saw there and she longed to give him salvation. "Giles, I trust you more than anyone. You'll be okay. I'll find the true cause for the world's destruction, and I'll destroy it."
Giles had gone home, much to the dismay of Cordelia, who was positive that the Watcher could not be trusted. But in the end, she gave way to Buffy's wishes. Cordelia had grown to respect the Slayer and even now, watching her friend in her youth, she could see the strength behind Buffy's eyes.
They sat around the table in the library with piles of books arrayed before them. There was silence in the room, a healthy calm that had followed an angry, confrontational scene.
Cordelia closed the book before her impatiently. This was not how it was supposed to be. She was not following her mission. Spike had been right; the task she was to perform was not going to be easy. Cordelia walked to the window and looked outside. The stars and moon above brought a light to the city that was unseen in her time. The days in her Sunnydale were darker than the nights here, and much colder.
So much had been lost in such a short time, Cordelia realized. She felt so out of place here that it brought a great sadness to her heart. The peace and serenity of 1999 were forgotten gifts that humanity had taken for granted. And they inevitably paid the price.
Buffy made her way to Cordelia, offering her friend a quick glance. The years had been kind to her, Cordelia still retaining her exotic good looks, but the eyes showed so much more. There was misery and pain and heartbreak. It was strange to see such a mature Cordelia, one who had come to accept herself and the others as true friends. *Her life must be so hard* Buffy thought, but there were things she had to know.
"Was Angel . . .I mean . . .were Angel and I together?'
Cordelia looked down at her friend. The loss of Angel had weighed heavily on the Slayer. It had been the breaking point, the moment when Buffy had grown from the loving teenager to the cold killer. But Buffy deserved to know of her future. It was something Cordelia had learned with Xander. Time was not to be wasted when it came to love.
"You and Angel were married, Buffy. You were so beautiful that day, and so happy . . .you were the perfect couple. Free to take your lives and mold them as you wished. You had a chance to run off with Angel, to start a family away from the war, but you couldn't go. Either of you. Your dedication was too strong to leave your friends to fight alone."
Buffy was dismayed. She could feel the tears begin to well in her eyes. "How did he die?"
"Xander had been caught in raiding party by the Master's Dark Prince, Iago. He was brought before the Master and was tortured for days. When Angel learned of this, against your wishes, he slipped into the Compound and rescued Xander. Before they could escape, Angel sacrificed himself so that Xander would live . . . .Angel and Xander were like brothers." Cordelia looked over at Xander. "After they resolved their differences, they became the best of friends. There was no way Angel was going to let Xander die and he didn't."
Buffy had begun to cry now, openly weeping, and Xander and Willow came to her side. Xander wrapped his arms around Buffy. He had been eavesdropping, though not intentionally. "Best friends, huh?"
"Brothers, Xander. You loved him and he you."
"That's hard to believe."
"Why?" Willow asked. "Why is that hard to believe? You and Angel are both sweet and considerate guys. I know you don't trust him, but maybe your reasoning is wrong. He has helped us out so many times, Xander."
Xander thought about it. Angel was a good friend, and even though he had committed murder, it was not truly him. Angelus, the demon, and Angel were not the same. It had been hard to accept before, but now it was clear, Giles had betrayed the gang in Cordelia's future, but that did not mean *he* was at fault. This new clarity brought a smile to Xander's face; something that Buffy took notice of looking up at her friend.
Buffy wiped the tears from her eyes and a strong, resolute face fell into place. "Let's find out what happens here and let's stop it. I know Giles is not responsible, but we have to find out what is." Cordelia nodded. Buffy turned to Oz. "Find Angel and Amy, we need to be ready."
Angel was thrown to the floor viciously and as he tried to lift himself a dark demon kicked him in the stomach. Angel collapsed in pain, blood oozing from numerous wounds.
Iago, Prince of the Dark Lords, stood watching Angel with a smile. He was human in appearance with blonde hair and blue eyes, and with an All-American smile. But Iago had used many guises in his centuries long existence on Earth. He paced before Angel's crumbled body, his hands behind his back.
"Angelus, Angelus. You were the Master's favorite. You were to have been our champion. You were to have erased the Slayers from existence and expelled any opposition to our legions. But look at you. You're a worthless human-lover, denying your own immortality by co-existing with these inferior beings. You disgust me, your very sight makes me sick. In fact, I'd rip you to pieces if not for the fact that I need you."
Iago knelt down and grabbed Angel by the hair. "It's strange, but it always comes down to you, Angelus. Ironic, considering your so weak."
"Go to Hell!" Angel spat out despite the pain.
Iago smiled. "On the contrary, Angelus. I'm bringing Hell here. When your Slayer comes to rescue you, and she will, the prophecies will come to be . .
.and the world as you know it will end."